Convicted murderer Bourne Huddleston gets life in prison

Medford, Ore. -- Bourne Huddleston, the man convicted of shooting and killing his wife in March 2012 while his 10-year-old son was sleeping down the hall, will spend the rest of his life in prison after a judge handed down the sentence Thursday morning.

Judge Lorenzo Mejia recommended Huddleston not be released until he serves out his natural life sentence. That recommendation is something he said he's never done in his 25-years in the justice system.

Kristy's family members speak at sentencing

It was a very emotional day in court for family members.

Now at the end of the trial, Kristy's family members were allowed to say a few words. Some of the comments were scathing.

"[I think about how] We ate at the same table. How this could possibly happen and how you could be such a brutal, blood-thirsty killer," said Kristy's father Dwight Esselstyn in a packed courtroom.

"How could you shoot my daughter through the jaw ... with a bullet and watch her bleed for 4-5 minutes and not do nothing to help her," he continued.

More scathing words for Huddleston

While family members had choice words for Huddleston, so did the judge and prosecutor in the case.

"I have never seen anyone like you sir," began Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Lorenzo Mejia.

"You are a cold-blooded killer," he continued.

Mejia said he didn't understand why Huddleston would kill Kristy when he had stated in court that the couple had agreed to an uncontested divorce if the time came that either one of them wanted to leave the relationship.

In addition Mejia described Huddleston as amoral and anti-social with a lack of ability to love.

"Your primary and only concern is yourself and your needs," said Mejia.

Meantime, Jackson County Deputy District Attorney David Hoppe said similar remarks.

About the Author

Christine Pitawanich was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. In 2010, she received a master's degree in Broadcast Journalism from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University in New York.

Christine also has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from the University of Washington.

Before joining the NBC5 News team, she had the opportunity to file reports from Washington D.C. for WFFT FOX Ft. Wayne News in Indiana. Christine has also interned at KOMO-TV in Seattle.

Christine loves to ski, try new food and have fun in the outdoors.

Catch Christine anchoring weekdays on NBC 5 News at 5pm.

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